In a rare decision and possibly the first of its kind since independence, the Chief Justice Martha Koome has allowed a Judge who was elevated from the magistracy to return to the subordinate court to conclude a KES 20 million corruption case.
Justice Charles Ondieki, of the Environment and Lands Court was allowed to return to conclude the hearing of the KES 20 million graft case against former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, which he had been trying.
Mr Sonko through his defense lawyer Assa Nyakundi wrote to Justice Koome requesting she allow Justice Ondieki return to the lower court to complete the case against him which was at “the defense level.”
When the then magistrate was elevated to become Judge in May 2026, he had placed Sonko on his defense alongside businessman Antony Ombok.
In the letter dated June 9,2026 Mr Sonko urged the CJ to consider that the case had been pending in court for long and prosecution had concluded calling witnesses.
When Justice Ondieki resumed receiving evidence, Sonko played both video and audio recording of persons he claimed had been sent from State House to interfere with his trial with a view to securing a conviction.
Mr Sonko claimed that his prosecution was hatched and commandeered from the State House following his alleged fall-out with a former president.
“Agents from State house were sent to meddle with this case including interference with my defense to abandon me,” Mr Sonko told the judge.
At that juncture, Sonko played videos he recorded with the state house operatives who were unleashed to frustrate my case.
He further alleged that the alleged State House operatives had also interfered with his impeachment case to ensure he does not survive his removal onslaught.
The former governor also dropped the name of a former judge Said Juma Chitembwe who was allegedly impressed upon not to fault his impeachment by dismissing his petition.
Mr Sonko has mounted a spirited defense in a KES 20 million graft case against him, maintaining that his prosecution was orchestrated by powerful individuals in the former regime who opposed his firm grip and stance against graft at City Hall.
Mr Sonko told the court that the charges were not grounded in law but were politically instigated
engineered to punish and silence him for taking on entrenched interests within the county government.
Sonko claimed that the individuals held meetings at State House, where they invited senior staff in the county to plot for his downfall.
Hearing continues.
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